We use apps to search for information while on the move. It could be the Wikipedia app for tapping into encyclopedic information, IMDb for movies trivia, or recipes from Allthecooks. Google Search for Android now makes it easier by turning itself into the interface for all kinds of search results you used to perform with apps. The Google Search app uses an Open in App button to prompt you to open the right app for more detailed information. The feature is not unlike a search accelerator that saves you time with searches.

When you search for a key term, Google Search will display the Open in App button (if you have it installed) alongside some of the results. Tapping on the button takes you to the relevant page on the specific app. App listings alongside the results will only appear if they are relevant. For now, the following apps are supported: AllTrails, Allthecooks, Beautylish, Etsy, Expedia, Flixster, Healthtap, IMDb, Moviefone, Newegg, OpenTable, Trulia, and Wikipedia. Google is working with developers to add more apps to the list.

Finding apps in search results is currently only available to Android 2.3+ users in the United States who have their language set to English. To see the Open in app buttons, you need to be signed in to your Google Account so Google knows which the apps are you have installed. If you aren’t signed in, you’ll still see relevant apps and the option to download them. The relevant apps from the Google Play Store will be grouped in a section. You can directly go to the Google Play Store and install the app. As Google explains:

Sometimes, the best answer for a search can be an app. Say you want to explore downhill skiing — now, you can just ask Google for downhill skiing apps and get a collection of useful apps.

Google is trying to bring the world of search and apps closer together. What do you think about this update?

Saikat is a techno-adventurer in a writer's garb. When he is not scouring the net for tech news, you can catch him looking for life hacks and learning tidbits. You can find him on LinkedIn & Twitter watching over the world.